Towards the 40^th Year of  Our Glorious Renaissance

 By: Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi

Whenever a discussion  on Oman arise, images of tranquil , peaceful  and  hospitable country come to mind. Oman has been blessed with a wise, devoted and farsighted leader who has acceded the thrown since 1970. A leader who has devoted his life for leading a renaissance  that was destined to  massively transform  the life of his people and enable them to reap the fruits of modern Oman  and be proud of their identity and heritage in the same time.

The development process in Oman under the wise leadership of his Majesty Sultan Qaboos is a unique in nature and thought provoking in kind. It is a process that has struck a balanced formula between modernity and tradition. Just like His Majesty himself said “No evolution without roots.”.

His Majesty’s firm beliefs in the value of the Omani citizens and the imperative needs for their continuous development and necessity to open opportunities for a wide spectrum of participation for them gave the development   process a sense of ownership and  deep roots to stand on and flourish.  

The development process went in an escalating manner from the inception of the renaissance   and today both the Omani citizens and  the  residence of Oman  are enjoying the peace,  stability and freedom. They both are working hand in hand and contributing in the process of development   so that the  Economic vision 2020 becomes a tangible reality.

Undoubtedly no human experience goes free of   challenges,  but the affinity and strong bondage between the leader and his people  plays a favorable catalyst to surmount them and come out victoriously. Whether it is the impact of the financial crisis, or confronting  a natural calamity such as the destructive cyclone  gunu,  time has proved again and again that we in Oman are so immersed with an everlasting love for our country and our beloved leader.

During the Renaissance which His majesty has led, Oman has become an Oasis of peace, a land of tranquillity, an area of friendship and hospitality. It has become a tourist destination of a first choice.

Not only Oman excelled in the internal front but with its open mindedness, mutual respect and non interfering approach in other countries affairs,  managed to restore its fame and became an ambassador of peace and abridge to unite the conflicting parties. Over the years the Sultanate of Oman under the blessed leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has successfully positioned   itself  with a strong brand as a peace loving country. Such a far sighted policy brought global recognition for Oman and its leader

His  Majesty the Sultan concerns for  humanity at large is evident in his policies and creative approach to disseminate  awareness about the importance of environment  and cultural appreciation.

His Majesty demonstrates his personal commitment to the environment across the world through "Sultan Qaboos prize for environmental preservation", which was instituted by his Majesty's at the Earth Summit in Brazil in 1989. It is the first Arab prize   to be awarded by UNESCO for international efforts on behalf of the environment. In order to promote academic relations and mutual understanding between the Sultanate and western as well as international institutions many university chairs and fellowships were established such as the sultan of Oman's Chair of Arab and Islamic studies at Melbourne university in Australia, the Sultan Qaboos bin Said Fellowship at the Oxford centre for Islamic studies, the professorship Chair of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said  at the University of Cambridge, the Sultan Qaboos Chair of International Relations at Harvard University as well as numerous chairs for Arab and Omani studies in several Arab and Foreign universities.  

Again and again His Majesty Sultan Qaboos remains the core of  attention for so many international institutes and friendly nations, after winning the hearts and souls of his people as a result of his self denial efforts, wise judgement, far sighted leadership and above all his human touch. Such recognition made him win an international peace award in 1998, and here again he is conferred with the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 2007. Besides, he was  recently named  among the top ten influential leaders in the Arab and Islamic world.

Now that 2010,  is opening a new chapter towards further prosperity and progress  to mark forty years of sincere and solid development  let us all gear up our efforts  for even more brighter years to come.

Source:Omanet

Date:9/1/2010